"Grandpa's Moustache" Croatian Cookies
"Grandpa's Mustaches" were a huge success in our family with their perfectly balanced taste, soft and beautiful texture, and the children were also delighted by their name. Originally from Croatia, these homemade cookies are very popular, and I guarantee that they are rightfully so.
You can use any jam or preserve you like; I use currant jam for better contrast. The way they look on a festive table is truly eye-catching, and they taste amazing. We are divided in opinion on whether to call them "grandfather's mustache" cookies or homemade cakes, as they fall somewhere in between. But no matter what you call them, they are delicious and look fantastic.
Separate the egg whites from the yolks into 2 large bowls.
In the first bowl with the egg yolks, prepare the dough by adding 60g of sugar, 1 tsp of vanilla essence, and 0.25 tsp of salt. Mix well with a whisk.
Add 100g of soft butter and 60g of buttermilk/yogurt, then mix again.
Finally, add 270g of flour and 1 tsp of baking powder.
Mix the dough with a spoon or spatula until all ingredients are incorporated, then use your hands to knead it into a soft and non-sticky dough.
Place the dough in a bag and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, beat the 2 egg whites from the second bowl with a mixer until fluffy white foam is formed.
Gradually add 30g of sugar while continuing to mix until it dissolves, forming a firm and uniform meringue.
Add 30g of flour and 1 tbsp of cocoa powder to the meringue.
Then mix carefully until fully incorporated and no lumps remain.
Take the dough from the refrigerator and divide it into 2 equal pieces.
Dip each piece in flour and use your fingers to shape it into a small rectangle.
Then use a rolling pin to stretch it into a large 30x20cm rectangle.
In the process, shape the edges with your palms, to get a nice rectangle, without fringes.
Spread 3 tbsp of jam or preserve evenly over the entire surface of the dough.
Carefully roll the long edges on both sides of the rectangle, leaving a 2-3cm wide space in the middle.
Move the rolled dough to an oven tray lined with baking paper.
Repeat with the second piece of dough, then place it on the tray next to the first roll.
In the empty space between the rolls, carefully put the previously prepared cocoa meringue using a teaspoon.
Bake in a preheated oven at 200 degrees for 25-30 minutes, or until lightly browned.
Leave to cool completely in the pan after taking them out of the oven.
Decorate with powdered sugar using a small sieve, focusing only on the rolled edges and being careful not to powder the middle of the cocoa.
Cut cookies about 2 cm wide with a knife, resembling the perfect section of grandfather's mustaches.
Enjoy and try to stop yourself in time, because they are just too good!
I would recommend preparing a double portion if you have a hungry family!
Good appetite!
